When You & I Were Forever Wild

We spent the rest of the week at the beach, driving around, making out and trying to lighten the mood between Ray and Suki which thankfully seemed to work. On friday, we ran into Cameron and Izzy at the mall and they both fled in panic, giving us something to laugh about for the rest of the day. What a bunch of losers. I just hoped that they would change their attitude until the end of summer and there would be no more trouble with them.

As expected, I had to spend the weekend with my parents. Although Gerard was allowed to come over for dinner on sunday, it was the only time I got to see him. It made me grumpy and I realized how wonderfully comfortable I really felt with him. Like I didn't have a care in the world. It was a great feeling and I tried my best to hold on to it.

My first day at work was disappointing. Apart from making copies, filing papers and getting everyone in the office coffee and lunch, I didn't get to do much. My coworkers were nice but kind of arrogant, reminding me again why I didn't want to study journalism but photography. This wasn't nearly close to what I wanted to do after college but hopefully I could gain some experience that would help me find better jobs in the future. If not, the pay made up for it and everything would go right into my savings account. Even the tiniest apartment in New York was expensive and I needed to start now if I wanted to have enough to share one with Gerard in two years.

Suki picked me up after work and we went to Joey's for a milkshake while we waited for Gerard and Ray who both had another hour at their jobs.

'Ugh, are we allowed to bitch about work yet? I know it's only been our first day but I hate it! My boss is such a stuck-up moron.' Suki worked at Bath & Body Works at the mall in Jersey City. Her mom had gotten her the job through one of her friends and at first Suki had been excited about it.

'I think we just hate it because we hate having jobs. I'm sure in a week or two we've gotten used to it.' I said, not sure whether I should believe it myself.

'We have to live for the weekends! Aren't your parents going away on friday?'

'Yeah, they're visiting my aunt and uncle in California. Josh's at home though.' I rolled my eyes.

It was my brother's last week at home before he left on his trip to Europe. Him and his friends had been talking about it for almost two years now and were excited about the last adventure before starting college. He had saved up a lot of money and would be gone almost three months. I would miss him and I felt guilty that he'd have to spend his last weekend at home, babysitting me. The only reason my parents had insisted on that was obviously Gerard and the fact that they didn't trust us. Little did they know that Josh wasn't my babysitter but my ally. He would let me invite him over for sure.

'Good ol' Josh. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement with him.' Suki rubbed her hands with glee and I smiled, liking the sound of that idea.

*

How come time passed so quickly when I was having fun but so slowly when I was bored out of my mind? How was that fair? I felt like I was stuck between these stacks of books for hours when I'd only been here for 45 minutes. Well, fuck. At least I got to check on the new comic releases. And I got a sweet employee discount. Yes, there were worse jobs in this world although I felt uncomfortable wearing a proper shirt and proper jeans, keeping my hair as neatly as possible but I was thankful for the lack of uniform regulations.

So far I got along with my boss and coworkers just fine. There was a kid from Clifton who was my age who worked in the music department and we'd started eating our lunch together, talking about stuff that interested us.

I was allowed to go home an hour early on friday which was awesome since I could pick up Finn. Her parents were gone for the weekend and Josh was cool with me coming over.

'Guess what?' she grinned as she got into my car, giving me a quick peck on the lips that left me craving for more. 'Josh is gonna stay with his girlfriend all weekend. And he said if I don't tell our parents, he won't tell either.'

'He won't tell either?' I knew where this was going but I couldn't quite believe my luck.

'That you're staying over.' she smirked.

'I am?'

'If you want to.'

'Hell yeah I want to!' okay Gerard, stay calm. No need to freak out. You're only staying with your girlfriend for the weekend. Just you and her. Probably sleeping in her bed together. Not just probably. Sleeping in her bed together.

'Great.' Finn kissed me again before leaning back in her seat.

It would happen this weekend. For sure. She knew it, I knew it. I felt the familiar twist in my stomach but it stopped there. The feeling didn't get stronger like it usually did, it didn't turn into fear or panic or anxiety. I also didn't feel the need to come up with a reason why I shouldn't stay with her. Instead, my body and mind were in full-on excitement mode. Everything would work out. Maybe it wouldn't be perfect or hopelessly romantic like I wanted it to be but I would be with Finn and that's all that mattered.

'Are you hungry?' Finn asked, leaving me standing by the breakfast bar while she walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge.

'A little bit.' I replied, watching her.

'I'll make you a sandwich.' she took out various ingredients, placing them on the counter.

'You don't have to.' I felt slightly awkward about being alone in her house with her.

'I want to.' she turned around and smiled, making my knees go weak. 'Ray and Suki are coming over around 8, we can order pizza then. My parents left some money.'

'Sounds good. I'll check what's on TV.' I said, grabbing the TV guide.

How long would we actually watch TV before kicking Ray and Suki out in order to be alone and do God knows what? Finn wasn't exactly into horror movies but she didn't mind them either and if we watched something spooky, she would snuggle against me and I could feel like a man protecting my woman. What a cliché. But still, who would miss the chance to do it, right?

*

'Ugh, this sucks. Let's go out.' Suki complained, switching off the TV. There was absolutely nothing on and my parents' VHS collection was grim.

'Go out? And do what?' Ray asked, removing his arm from around her shoulder and getting up.

'We could drive around. See if there's a party somewhere. Or find someone who can buy us booze.' she replied.

Gerard and I looked at each other, not really sure whether to agree or disagree. Sure I wanted to have fun with Suki and Ray but I also wanted to be alone with Gerard.

'Hmm...I guess we could. Gee? Finn?' Ray had always pulled out his car keys and was waving them in front of us.

It was a warm summer night and we rolled the windows down as we drove. Gerard and I were in the backseat sharing a cigarette while Suki was annoying Ray by telling him where to go. They were in that kind of play fight mood that I knew far too well, the one that would most likely end in a hot make-out session eventually. I smiled, thinking about the many times Gerard and I had teased each other until I wasn't sure whether to smack him or kiss him before he had pulled me close. I was happy that Suki and Ray were obviously still crazy about each other because it took a certain amount of being crazy about each other to appreciate the bantering. It seemed as though they had moved on from their argument about college for now in order to just enjoy every moment together. For Suki's sake and also for the sake of our friendship, I hoped that Ray would decide against LA and stay here in New Jersey or come to New York with us.

'Wait! Go down Grove.' Gerard said and Ray followed his instructions.

After another five minute drive, he stopped the car. I knew exactly where we were. Gerard got out of the car and lit another cigarette while I hesitated.

'What are we doing here?' Ray asked and I could tell he was as uncomfortable as I was.

'We're gonna take a little tour.' Gerard snickered. Oh, he was feeling adventurous. I knew there was no talking him out of it now.

'It's creepy, babe.' I argued, climbing out of the car to look up at the building.

Overbrook Asylum. Also known as Essex County Mental Hospital. Also known as one of the creepiest places in all of New Jersey. Supposedly haunted. Why the hell would he want to go in there? Especially at night? Just looking at it made a shiver run down my back.

'Yeah of course it is. But it's also really cool. Come on.' he held out his hand to me.

'No way! I'm NOT going in there.'

'I think it would be fun. Here, take the flashlights!' Suki said, that same exciting look on her face as Gerard. Ugh.

'We could get arrested. It says 'No Trespassing'!'

'People go in all the time. And believe it or not, they come out alive.' Gerard cocked his head to one side, giving me one of his 'You can't say no to me even if you wanted to' looks. Ugh. Damn you, Way.

'Alright, alright. But...promise you will not let go of my hand.'

'I won't. Pinky promise.' he held out his pinky and I hugged it with mine before grabbing his hand.

Yes, I was being a chicken. I knew very well that people went lurking around in there all the time, even some kids from our school had bragged about it, even shown off some artifacts they had taken. There were stories about people partying in there on Halloween. I looked at Ray who gave me an unsure smile while Suki linked arms with him, pulling him with her up the pathway. Great. So much for a fun, romantic, possibly sex-filled evening with my boyfriend. Why the fuck had I agreed to this?

*

It was creepy. Creepy as fuck, to be exact. But I was fascinated by all things creepy and I also couldn't deny the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed having Finn cling to me for protection and comfort. Just like I had hoped for. Maybe I was a typical guy after all, feeling like a real man who was taking care of his lady.

The truth was, I was feeling slightly uncomfortable myself as we walked down the corridors of the abandoned building, the walls covered in pentagrams, swastikas and grotesque faces, as well as peeling paint and posters. A lot of weird things had happened here, even when it had still been open. I felt intimidated by the fact that I would never be able to understand the tragic fates that had brought people here in the depts of their despair. My mind was already starting to write stories but I dismissed them, knowing that it would be a mistake to go there now.

'I read that when it closed, some of the remaining patients were left to fend for themselves so they stayed and lived in the tunnels beneath the building.' Suki whispered and I could feel Finn shutter.

'Shut up!' she growled, tightening her grasp on me.

Suki giggled and stopped, pointing the beam of her flashlight into a smaller room on the right. 'Oh my God!' Ray gasped and even though Finn was protesting, I pulled her with me.

'They must have done weird experiments in here.' Suki breathed, stepping closer.

In the middle of the room was an examination table, restraining cuffs for hands and feet as well as straps hanging from either side of it. On the floor around and a metal table next to it was a collection of weird looking instruments and other medical equipment, probably used on the patients of Overbrook back in its day. I was pretty sure that some crazy shit went down in here but didn't dare to say it out loud.

We continued, encountering traces of life, from wheelchairs and mattresses to toys and even a ping pong table while papers and files lay scattered across the floors. Some left behind from more recent visitors but most of undoubtedly discarded when the hospital had closed. It was eerily quiet, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the building.

'I wonder how many people died here.' I said, earning a wary look from Finn.

'I don't wanna know.' she replied. 'Can we leave? Please, Gee.'

I felt bad all of a sudden. And pretty selfish. I didn't want Finn to be scared just so I could feel like a man. Yes, it was interesting here and I loved exploring abandoned places but not at this cost. She was shaking, looking at me with big, pleading eyes.

'Yeah, let's go.' I nodded, turning around.

Suddenly, a noise startled us. My heart jumped in my throat. FUCK! What the fuck? There's someone here, holy shit I'm gonna piss my pants. Finn gasped and she squeezed my hand so hard that it hurt.

'Who's there?!' someone called out and in the distance I could see a source of light coming closer. 'Don't move!'

'Shit! The cops!' Ray muttered, grabbing Suki by the arm.

After snapping out of my initial shock, we started running down the corridors, the same ones we had come from, as fast as we could, almost falling over the glass and wood that covered the ground. Fuck, if they caught us, we'd spend the night at the station. They would call our parents and then we'd get grounded for the rest of our lives. Ray led the way and I tried my best to follow his bouncing flashlight, still holding on to Finn's hand.

Notes

I'm feeling generous and felt bad for keeping you waiting for a whole week, so here's another chapter for you!
This story is getting longer than I had anticipated, especially because I have so much more planned for it - I really hope you're not getting bored and keep reading.

Thank you for subscribing/voting/commenting and most of all, reading!

PS: I really don't have anything against people who study journalism, btw. :)